Buffing wheel



Dec. 1, 1953 J, F, LESLIE 2,660,841

BUFFINC WHEEL Original Filed Oct. 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l T155 tja/agayy f.' faz/.FA y. Maa/W@ 14 TTORIVEYJ J. F. I EsLl'E BUF'F'ING WHEEL Dec. 1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 26, 1949 TIL-5.15

m M r E mf m mL A .w f Y f. w M J Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUFFING WHEEL John F. Leslie, Mishawaka, Ind.

Original application October 26, 1949, Serial No.

123,738, now Patent No. 2,607,171, dated Au- Y gust 19, 1952. Divided and this application January 21, 1952, Serial No. 267,356r

This invention relates to improvements in buing wheels, and more particularly to the type of buing wheel as illustrated in my Patent No. 2,460,588, dated February l, 1949, wherein a plurality of segments formed of fabric or the like are detachably anchored at the margin of a metal disc to, form the buiiing portion of the buff wheel and to be readily replaced with a minimum Waste incident to replacement. This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 123,738,11ed October 26, 1949 now Patent No. 2,607,171, issued August 19, 1952.

Prior bufng wheels ofthe type having cloth segments detachably connected to.V a metal lor other .rigid center member have been subject to various disadvantages. Among these disadvantages are the lack of uniformity of distribution of the cloth in each segment throughout its thickness, that is, the cloth segments are provided at a` ,central portion thereof with securing means and arefolded relative to that securing means to form a skirt whose edge definesA aportion of the periphery of the builing wheel. 4'Since the segments have this skirt f orm, ltheir ,centers are hollow and there is. a lack of .solidity and viirmness crosswiseiof the segments. f

-Anotherdisadvantage of such prior devices is the fact that theyare diicult to assemble.' Thel individual v character of the segments and the tendencyof those segments, whilestationary and 3.,

being assembled, to movefone relative to the other, especially vif hooked to a center support, presents'some problems and requires the exercise ofncare and the expenditure of a greater amount of timeto assemble the buff wheel than is deerratic..A f

Itis the primary object of this invention to provide .abui .of the type utilizingperipheral segments d'etachably anchored to a rigid center member which overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above.

`A further object is to provide a'novel member for "supporting the vfabric body of a buff segment in desired form and for'detachably anchoring the segment tothe center member of a buff.

A further object is to provide a bui segment of folded skirtflikeconstruction, which is substantially of uniformv density throughout all cross-sections, 'andparticularly tomprovide a buff segment of this character with novel means-for rn'ountirigl a filler insert therein.

5 Claims. (Cl. 51-193) A further object of the invention isto, provide a novel positioning means for holding individual' buff segments in desired position in skirte'd form and characterized byshoulders for draping the skirt, a restricted neck for anchoring theskirt, and a projecting apertured head for engagement with an attachment hook.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

ln the drawing:

Fig. l is a face view of a hurling wheel embody-f ing my invention, with parts thereof broken away.

Fig. 2 is a transverse ysectional view .taken on line22ofFig.l.` y n Fig. 3 is a face view of one of the buffsegments.;y

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vfragmentary detail sectional view of a buff segment taken on lineild ofFig.3..

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary Yface view of a modified form of center plate. l

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailvsectional view taken on line {i4-Spf Fig. 5.` f

Fig. '7 isa fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 1--1. of Fig. V5. Y.

Fig. 8 is a view'of a portion ofthe edge ofthe center, plate illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view offa vbui foundation member.

Fig. 10 is a sectionalview taken on 1ine I.0.-,I0 o Fig. 9, illustratingthe mannerinwhich the fabric of the buff is carried by the member illus.- trated in Fig. 9. v

Fig. 11` is a view of va modified embodiment of a buff segment, saidview being ytaken with parts broken away.

Fig. l2 is a schematic illustration ofth'e manner in which the buff segment shown in Fig. 10 is folded. I

Referring tothe drawings, and particularly to the embodiment ofthe invention villustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the'A numeral I0 designates a center plate which is provided with integral hook members l2 Which engagethe eye portions I4 `carried centrallyby a plurality of adjacent skirt-type fabric buiiingsegments I6.

The plate l0 is preferably formed of metal but may be vformed of plastic, wood or any other suitable Ymaterial characterized by rigidity and strength. The plate hasV acentral aperture lIt adapted to receivean'd iitY around Ythearbor 3 (not shown) of a conventional buff device. In this connection it will be understood that the buing wheel commonly comprises a plurality of units or assemblies of the character illustrated in Figs. l and 2 which are positioned side by side upon the arbor so as to provide an overall or composite bufling wheel of desired axial thickness or dimension. The plate I0 is preferably of polygonal shape. The plate is here illustrated as having seven sides or edges equiangularly disposed and ofequal length. VVThe seven-sided plate is illustrative only, and it will be understood that the plate may have any selected number of edges. In general it may be said that the lengths of the edges of the plates will preferably be substantially the same in all figures or shapes; that is, if the plate I0 is an Octagon, then each individual edge thereof will be of the same length as the edge of a vhexagonal plate. Y

Thus the greater the number of sides, the greater will be the radial dimension ofA the plate, the

difference being such that, after these'gments I6 have been worn to a point such that the peripheral speed thereof is reduced below desired limits, the segments can be remounted upon a larger plate for further use. The hooks I2 are formed integrally with the center plate I0 and preferablyv are positioned in equiangularly and equispaced relation, being formed similarly and each being positioned at an intermediate portion of an edge of the-plate. The hooks are preferably so formed that the adjacent peripheral edge plane of the plate extends tangent to the outermost curved portion of the hook.

The individual 1segments I6 are preferably formed from a plurality of cloth discs 2e, as best seen in Fig. 3, which cloth discs are superimposed, one upon another, concentricallyV and are stitched together adjacent their center, as at 22, best seen in Fig. 4. The cloth discs may be of the same size or of slightly different sizes or diameters, and ther cloth will preferably constitute woven cotton sheeting of the type commonly used in the art for the purpose of making bufling wheels. If desired, a small central layer 213 of canvas, burlap vor other material, somewhat stiffer than the sheets I2, may be secured to the center thereof, as by stitching 22. rThe burlap preferably bears againstv an elongated rigid plate 26 which may be formed ofv metal, plastic or the like. y The length of the plate 2S is preferably greater than the length of the hook members I2 and shorter than the length of the straightI edgel portions of the plate I0. The plate e preferably has a' continuous substantially perpendicularly bent peripheral flange 23 formed integrally therewith. The plate unit 26, 28 forms shoulders around which the sheet material 20, 24 of the individual buff sections may be draped to form a skirt portion, as illustrated in section in Figs. 1 and 2.

A rigid plate 30 of substantially the same dimensions as the plate 25 engages the buff section at the surface thereof opposite the plate 26. The two plates 26 and 30 have registering holes formed therein, and holes in the fabric sheets 20, 24 likewise register therewith so as toreceive eye members, as best seen in Fig. 4, which eye members preferably include an elongated portion 32, a pair of transverse portions 3e which pass through the apertures in said plates and fabric, and inwardly bent endkportions 36 which are positioned within the confines of the flanges 28 of the plate 26. The eye member is formed of wire or other material which will retain its shape and withstand substantial stresses in the nature of centrifugal force applied to the bufng segments in use. The portion 32 of the eye is preferably spaced from the plate 3E! a distance sufficient to permit the hook I2 to be received between said parts with a snug iit which will permit manual hooking and unhooking of the parts.

It will be observed that by reason of the elongated character of the member 26, 2li, the skirt Segments are of elongated rcross-sectional form, as best illustrated in Figs. f1 and 2. When these skirt-like segments are attached to the center plate I0 by means of the hook and eye arrangement described, the long transverse dimension of each segment will lie substantially parallel to the center member I0. Consequently, the dimensions or proportions of the device will be of the order illustrated in Fig. 2, the unit being narrow compared to its diameter, and each of the segments lying in substantially a common plane. It will be understood that the fabric discs or members 20 are formed of a dimension which substantially exceeds the length of each edge portion of the center plate I0 so that the adjacent segments abut along radial portions 38. The abutment of these segment portions further assists in bunching the skirted fabric so that the peripheral edgesof the sheets of the fabric 2! which make up the member are compactly arranged.

The radial abutting portions of adjacent segments may be stitched together, as illustrated at 40, thus forming a continuous belt which is preassembled from the various segments. This arrangement eliminates the necessity of handling the individual segments in applying the fabric peripheral portion to the center plate Ic and removing the same from saidy center plate. The stitching'e, as best illustrated in Figs.'2 and 3, lies substantially in alignment with the eye member'32, 36, 38 and constitutes at each occurrence thereof a radially reinforced or stiffened portion. However, the belt may be formed by circular lines of stitching adjacenty to the eye member. It will be apparent that the major portions of the fabric sheets 2B which make up the skirted fabric segment are free from one another and assume individual folded shapes. This stitching, and particularly radial stitching 40, concentrates compactly the fabric segments at selected portions thereof to increase the rigidity, strength and firmness of the buffing wheel as a unit. The radial stitches 4B do not interfere with or rigidify the portions of the skirt between said radial portions 38, and the individual layers of fabric are free to assume individual folded form with the folds extending radially of the wheel and being arranged differently in each sheet in the relation or arrangement produced by the action of centrifugal force. This arrangement commonly is'such that a myriad of radial channels or passages are formed in the buff segment between the individual layers of fabric thereof, the same being substantially uniformly distributed throughout the body of the buff. These radial channels-or passages provide means for receiving and retaining the buiring material which is applied to the buing Wheel in use and also to assist in cooling of the bumng segments.

It will bev observed in Fig. 2 at the lower portion thereof that the segments, when folded around the plate portion 2E,- 28, have located therein a cavity 42 between the peripheral edge of the segment and the plate 2 6. This cavity will be of a length equal to "the length of the plate 2'6 adjacent to the plate.V This cavity 42 constitutes a Ventilating and insulating cavity within each segment. The fabric sheets possess porosity so air may pass therethrough. Consequently, by virtue of the central location oi'the cavity-42 and the arrangement of myriad radialchannels between the individual sheets or laminations making up they segment, air circulation is permite ted throughout the body of the segment. vThis air circulation or breathing ofthe segmentsdissipates excessive heat generated during the buillng operation and reduces to a minimum the possibility that the article being buifedf'such'as a plated metal part. will be damaged becausev of excessive heat. Y

The preformed belt, formed by stitching together individual segments, is easy to handle and greatly reduces the time required to mount the peripheral segments uponV each 'plate I0 or dismount or disconnect said segments from said plate; Each segment is positioned' or stabilized by the adjacent segments, and the different-segments cooperate, one With another, to'hold the belt unit in proper position substantially Within the plane of the center plate. This is quite important in a buff of this character because it will be apparent that, if a single buff as illustrated in Figs.-1 and 2 is positioned vertically, that is, with its axis horizontal, the segments positioned uppermost, if

independent of one another and heldin placesolely by frictional engagementwith adjacent segments, are unbalanced and unstable. Thus, the hooked connection and support of eachy upper segment upon the center plate is positioned below its center of gravity. The increased stability of the unit wherein the segments are stitched together greatly reduces the amountof time required to assemble and make up a fullbuing wheel from a plurality of sections of the character illustrated in Figs. l and 8. Y l

The stability of the mounting of the segments i5 upon the center plate I0 can be increased by constructing the center plate I!) in a manner illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive.- In this construction the center plate I 6 has a plurality of lateral offsets 44 formed in the marginal portion thereof in equispaced and equiangular relation. Each offset 44 is preferably located centrally With respect to one of the flat edge portions thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The hook portions l2rare formed integrally with and? proj ectcentrally from the outer edge of the offset 44, as -illustrated lin Fig. 5. As shown in Figs. Sand 7 the offsets 44 extend in a plane parallelto the' plane of the metal plate if.) and are offset in a direction opposite to the direction in which the termin-al or tongue portion I3 of the hook I2 extends.`

Each offset 44, as illustrated in Fig.` 5, is of such a dimension or size that it exceeds the sizel of the adjacent hook I2', extending beyond the sides and the free inner redge -of the tongue I3 of said hook by a dimension greaterthan -the thickness of the stock from which the eyemembers 32--38 of the different segments are formed. The offset portions 44 areslotted at 46 at opposite sides of the hooks I2 sothat the hook ymay be bent in such a fashion that its outermostsurface will lie substantially `in a plane common `to the.

plane of the adjacent edge of the as best seen in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Observe in Fig. 5 that the eye portion 32 of the segment i5 lies Substantially in a common plane with the disc I G. This;constructionfresults in a balance of the buff segments whenassembled polygonal plate,

' wardly spaced position clear with respect to the plane of the segments, it being apparent that the centrifugal force, exerted by the segments I6 upon rotation, is exerted 'in the plane of the disc I0. The provision of the offsets 44 has the additional function and advantage of providing greater'stability of the buff segments at the point of contact thereof with the disc Iii. Observe in this connection that in the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the plate .33 illustrated'in Fig. 4 has been omitted Ifroxn'the buff segments, and the fabric thereof bears directly against the edge of the plate. I nasmuch as .the odsethas the effect of widen` ing the edge of theplate, it increases the stability of the segment and reduces the likelihood that it will tilt Aout of the plane of the plate when' connected to the plate by the hook. and eye confl struction. The fact that the edge of this construction is the equivalent of a' Wider plate, or produces the `equivalent ofawider point 'of "coni tact between the plate and the builD segment, is illustrated in Fig-8.` It will be apparent from Fig. 8 that the points of contact betweenthe buff segments andthe edge are laterally spaced at different positions along the length of the contact or abutmentofrthe parts, thus produc-1 ing the stability above mentioned. This stability is of particular importance in cases where-the .segments retain their individual` character, that is, in cases where the segments are not stitched together. f

In the assembly of each individual section or portion of the buff, and beforethe different buff sections are mounted upon their common arbor, it is desirable to provide means` to prevent disconnection of the segments and their connecting eyes from the hooksofthe center plate, Novel means for this purpose are illustrated in Figs; 5. 6 and 7, `the same constituting a disc48 formed of sheet material tending normally to retain its shape, but having a certain degree ofy flexibility., l. have vfound that a disc which is Well suited for this purpose may be formed from cardboard or chipboard. Other materials, such as plastic sheetrmaterial, metal sheet material or thelike, may be employed, if desired. g

The disc 48 has a center opening 5I! adapted to register with the aperture i and to t around the arbor (not shown) of abung machine. The size or diameter of the disc 48de less thanthe diameter of the plate l and is Ypreferably slightly greater than the spacing of the inner edges of the lips I3 fronrthe Acenter ofthe plate i0. Consequently, when the disc 4S lies fiat against the plate iii, it will underlie the hook tongues I3 at its margin, as illustrated Yin Fig. 6, thus ob`-y structing or closing the mouth of the'hook to prevent, or atleast retard/the passage of thev eye member 32 through the mouth ofthe hook. The `disc 48 preferably is severed 'alonga radial line at 52. This severing of theA disc pe'iunits the flexing thereof to the position'-illustratedin dotted lines in Fig. 5, which brings the outer edge of one end portion of said disc to a radially inv of the inner end of the lip of the adjacent hook, as illustrated vin '7, thus facilitating the insertion and removal of they disc 4i? relative to the plate I0. As shown in Fig. 7, the 4inward defiection ofthe end of the member 4t vis entailed by reshaping the saine to substantially conical forln,1which can easily be done in the case of a cardboard or'paper disc. Thus it4 will be apparent thatjwhen the disc 48 is to be inserted, it may be so manipiilated that the edge portions circumferentially are-successively inserted under the disc lips, which, of course, is easily accomplished with respect to one half of the disc, and then, by twisting the disc slightly, the remaining portions of the disc can be inserted under the remaining hooks and thereupon the disc can be released and restored to its normal flat condition. In this case it will lie fiat against the plate I and will underlie and engage the inner faces of the lips i3 of the hooks. The size of the disc will preferably be such that while it may have a certain free play or clearance, nevertheless that free play or clearance will not be sufficient to permit unintentional release thereof from the plate.

The construction of buff segments, and particularly oi the means for mounting the same, may be substantially simplified, as illustrated in Figs. 9, and 11. In this construction a single metal anchor member may be assembled with the fabric buff member being applied thereto easily and quickly and Without substantial processing as is required to effect the assembly illustrated in Fig. 4. For this purpose a metal plate or member 54 may be formed and applied as a unit to the fabric disc. Such plate preferably has an elongated shoulder portion 56 of the length required to define the desired length cf the inner end of the segment to abut against an edge of the disc I0. The elongated shoulder portion 56 is characterized by inner curved edges 58 around which the cloth may fold at the ends of the plate. A projection 60 is formed at the center of the member 54 at one side thereof, the same preferably having outwardly converging edge portions 62 at its opposite ends extending for a portion only of the width of the projection 6U, and inwardly converging edge portions 64. The portions 62 and 64 define shoulders 63 at their junctions. At their inner ends the edge portions 64 merge at rounded or curved portions B6 with the inner edge of the shoulder portions 56. An elongated slot 68 is formed in the projection 60 with its inner edge preferably located slightly inwardly spaced relative to shoulders 63, and With its outer edge located outwardly of said shoulders 63.

In the fabrication of the segment the individual fabric discs 2U', as best seen in Fig. l0, are slotted at 1D at their center, said slot being of a length equal to or slightly greater than the reduced neck of the member 54, that is, the dimension of said member between the opposed curved edge surfaces 66 thereof. The length of said slot is slightly less than the spacing between the shoulders 63. The various layers of the fabric are stitched together at 12 around the slot 10 and preferably one or more reinforcing layers I4 of burlap, canvas or the like, are stitched at the center of each Vbufiing segment, being provided with a slot registering with the slot 70. In the assembly of the buff segment it is necessary only to force the slot 'i0 over the shoulders 63 so that the ends thereof bear against and are urged inwardly b v the edges 64, with the inner surface of the buff segment, and especially the reinforcing portion 14, bearing flat against the shoulder portion 5S. The parts are preferably so proportioned that the inner edge of the slot E8 will be substantially flush with the outer buff fold or bend, or that the slot will be partially spanned by said fabric. This will insure that, when the slot 68 receives the hook i2 of the plate I0, the fabric will be caused to bear against the adjacent edge of the plate l0.

It will be observed that this construction simplifies the assembly of each complete buffing segment, reduces labor and costs, holds the segment in the desired shape, that is, permits the skirt to be formed With the desired drape around the curved edges 58 of the shoulder portions 56, and, in general, offers substantial advantages in fabrication.

One of the difculties of a skirted type of buffing segment of the character described is that the folding of the skirt to the elongated form shown causes a bunching of the fabric at the ends, as illustrated in Fig. l2, with the result that the end portions thereof are more solid than the center portion. For the purpose of improving the construction of the buff segments and rendering their consistency more uniform, it is desirable to use llers in the nature of cloth inserts. Such cloth inserts may be applied in different ways. Referring tothe construction illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the elongated portion 56 of the member 54 may be provided with a slot 16 parallel to the slot 58 and preferably of a dimension approximately equal to the longitudinal' dimension of the projection S0. A generally rectangular elongated folded cloth member 18 may be passedthrough the slot 1E, as illustrated in Fig. 10, and may be stitched at to anchor it in place. The parts are of such dimension that the insert 'i8 ywill extend to the periphery of the fabric buff segment. The number of individual laminations or thicknesses of the fabric which make up the member 18 will preferably oe sufficient to impart at the center of the buff segment the same solidity and firmness which that segment possesses at its ends. The virtue of this construction, in addition to making the unit of uniform solidity and rigidity, is this: that there shall be presented a substantially equal number of fabric edges uniformly at all points around the circumference sovthat the device will not be characterized by soft spots alternating between firm or rigid spots.

A slightly altered construction for accomplishing this purpose is illustrated in Fig. ll, wherein inserts 82 of multiple thicknesses of fabric are applied to the fabric discs 2- laterally spaced from the slot 10 and extending to the edges thereof, said inserts 82 being stitched or secured to the fabric discs 20, as shown in Fig. 11. Inasmuch as the stitches in this instance are subjected only to force resulting from the rotation of the Weight of the inserts 82, the stitching 84 will be sufficient to withstand the stresses involved. The Fig. 11 construction, therefore, performs the same results as the Fig. l0 construction, differing therefrom only with respect to the manner of securing of the insert, the form in Fig. 11 being characterized by avoidance of necessity of stitching after the buff segment or any part thereof has been applied to the metal anchor unit 54.

In all of the constructions of buff wheel segments illustrated herein, including constructions wherein said segments are secured together in the form of a belt and those in which segments retain their individual character, it is desirable to preform the fabric unit. The limpness and exibility of the buffs which causes them to ,assume different shapes and folds upon different successive operations until the bui has been broken in, which Vcommonly requires as long as an hour and a half, slow down production time. When it is considered that the average fabric buff will last only a few days, it is apparent that the requirement of an hour and a half break in also to impart other desirable properties to the buff segment, I have found that it is desirable to soakthe fabric buif, after it is assembled, in a material of thin paste or liquid'fstate which will quickly penetrate the cloth. I proposeto-use av laundry filler or starch-mixed withwater-for this purpose. A number of materials are suited for this purpose. VAmong such materialslare'fthe filler used in domestic laundries to stiften fabrics, library paste, corn starch, a mixture of wheat flour and gum arabic, sago our or other starches mixed with water, and rye flour mixed with gum arabic. Any other material may be used which will tend to stiifen the fabric without creating any tendency to stick to the metal being buifed 01 to increase the heat of friction generated at the metal by the buing operation.

Individual buff segments are preferably preshaped by mounting them upon a center plate corresponding to the center plate Iii. The segments may be soaked either before or after they are mounted on this center. After soaking thereof, the excess filler or liquid material is removed fnom the segments to the greatest extent possible by squeezing the same. After assembly, soaking and removal of excess liquid, the unit is mounted upon a rotatable center arbor, such as a lathe spindle or machine mandrel, and is rotated at a speed suiiciently high to subject the individual segments to centrifugal force. jhis rotation is continued until the segments are fully or at least partially dry, that until the segments are dry enough to hold or retain the radially folded skirt shape of the different laminations or layers thereof.

I have found that the segments, when processed in this manner, are shaped in their desired skirt form in a manner to distribute the edges uniformly, that is, to provide the folds of each individual thickness of cloth uniformly distributed around the periphery thereof. This provides myriad radial channels Within the buit segments, and is important for Various reasons. Among these reasons are that the cool operation of the wheel is assured, the leuning contact with the work. piece is uniform so that there is no tendency to produce streaks, and channels are provided which facilitate the reception and retention of the buiing material. Another important advantage of the construction is that it stiffens the buff unit when dry so there is no necessity to incorporate a stiff lamination, such as the laminations 24 of Fig. 4 and 'icl of Fig. 1G, in the bufling segment.

Various other advantages are possessed by a device shaped oi' this character, among which are the fact that the centrifugal shaping cf the skirtlike buff segment tends to distort the weave of the cloth at all laminations and to prevent raveling. It has been observed that the centrifugal shaping causes each layer to assume an individual shape different from the others. This presents the warp and woof threads of each individual layer at a slightly different angle to the radius of the bufng wheel compared to the others. Those layers which are so positioned that rapid raveling would occur normally at a given point thereof, are protected by the adjacent layers against such rapid raveling, and the rate of raveling of the whole unit is materially reduced as compared to the rate of raveling in other constructions. Since raveling is definitely associated with wear, it will be apparent that the less the ravel, the slower the rate of wear.

10 Still another advantage, is .that a buing wheel made up of segments whichhave Abeen saturated in this manner may be trimmed to circular shape after assembly by the use of a rotary edge cutter.

This made possible by reason or' the firmness and-"stiffness of the bui segments whichwill permit the properv shaping bya cutting tool, with the assurance that when,v the Wheel is stopped, thev variousfolds of .thesegment Vwill remain inthe same position they occupied while rotating, so thattheperipheral surface of the will remain.cons.tant...f :'1

While the use of a Starch o-r. otheriiller is. preferred, it is not necessary. Most fabrics contain a certain amount of filler added thereto during manufacture. Consequently, if' the cloth segments are merely wetted and then spun, as described above, the layers of the cloth will assume and hold their shape, as above described, and will permit trimming, with the buff segments tending to maintain, when stationary and after being trimmed, the same folded shape as the same maintained while spun. While this process offers advantages over the use of a buff segment not so treated, insofar as reduction of break in time, etc., is concerned, prefer the use of starch or other material, as described above, because oi the greater stiffness and rigidity secured, and the improvement of the buff segment in other respects.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction znay be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A buning element adapted for hooked connection to a rigid center mount, comprising a pile of fabric sheets secured together centrally thereof to denne a unit, said unit having an elongated central aperture therein, and a metal plate having a portion extending through said aperture and an elongated portion engaging said unit at opposite ends of said aperture, said rst named plate portion having an elongated slot therein adapted to receive a hook member said elongated plate portion having a slot therein, and a multiple thickness fabric insert extending through said last named slot.

2. A buing member adapted for detachable connection with a rigid center mount, comprising a fabric unit formed of a plurality of superimposed layers of cloth, an attachment member secured to the central portion of said unit, said unit being folded to skirt form, and a fabric insert secured within said skirt and cooperating therewith to render said skirt unit of substantially uniform thickness throughout.

3. A bufng member adapted for detachable connection with a rigid center mount, comprising a fabric unit formed of a plurality of superimposed layers of cloth, an attachment member secured to the central portion of said unit and including an elongated shoulder-dening portion, said unit being folded to flat skirt form around said shoulder-defining portion, and a fabric insert secured Within said skirt, whereby said fabric unit is of substantially uniform thickness throughout.

4. A buiiing member as defined in claim 2, wherein said fabric insert is stitched to said Afabric unit.

5. A bufng element adapted for hooked connect1on to a rigid center mount, comprising a pile il f fabric sheets secured together centrally thereof to dene a unit, said unit having an elongated central aperture therein, a metal plate having a portion extending through said aperture and an elongated portion engaging said unit at opposite ends of said aperture, said first named plate portion having an elongated slot therein adapted to receive a hook member, said elongated plate portion having an aperture formed therein, and a multiple thickness fabric insert extending through said aperture at its center and folded upon itself, portions of said insert being secured together adjacent said plate portion.

JOHN F. LESLIE.

References cited in the me of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

